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ASVO (Association of Volunteers for Service in protected areas by its Spanish acronym), was founded on January 27, 1989. It is a non-profit organization, listed in the Register of Associations under registration number 3-002-098217-17.
ASVO is a self-managed non-governmental, non-profit organization. For the last 20 years we have been doing active conservation in Protected Areas, beaches and communities in Costa Rica in order to promote environmental volunteering for social consciousness.
Currently ASVO works as a bridge between civil society and the natural areas with the aim of helping more people to get involved and to act responsibly and voluntarily in the conservation of our natural and cultural heritage.
Our organization is an open space for you to act for the conservation and development of Protected Areas for the benefit of ourselves and future generations.
Our Vision
To be a leading organization for volunteer work in protected natural areas and their surroundings, offering a high quality, professional service that improves day by day, while achieving the highest participation of both national and international volunteers who help in the conservation of natural resources.
Our Mission
To supply a well-prepared system of volunteer work that plays a greater part in the protection and conservation of the protected natural areas and the surroundings,as well as fulfilling the basic needs of the volunteers so that they can improve the work they do.
How we work
Thanks to two decades of commitment to the environment, we have created a network of contacts all over the world and today we work in synergy with local communities, schools, high schools, universities, governmental institutions and other environmental organizations.
Currently we develop our conservation actions in 30 different areas of the country. We also support corporate social and environmental policies that promote the responsible, sustainable use of natural resources. These include activities like eco-tourism, wildlife conservation, etc ...
Throughout the years, we have achieved efficiency in three strategic areas: research, education, and conservation.
Some achievements
- Our mission is supported by over 1,800 volunteers each year, who give their support and assistance to conservation programs.
- Over 600 volunteers from Costa Rica are working in protected areas against wildlife trade, poaching and deforestation.
- Each year 1,200 volunteers all over the world join our international conservation program.
- We have four special support units that give services at protected areas and conservation projects:
Research and Outreach Unit (by its Spanish acronym UIP)
Control and Protection Unit (by its Spanish acronym UCP)
Environmental Education Unit (by its Spanish acronym UEE)
Forest Fire Volunteer Brigade (by its Spanish acronym BRIF)
- The contribution of the Permanent Volunteer Program of ASVO contributes to the protected areas about 6,000 hours per year. Thanks to this support, the National System of Conservation Areas (known by its Spanish acronym SINAC) saves the Costa Rican government around $72 578 annually, calculated on the basis of the minimum wage of a semi-skilled worker.
- We create educational materials for training our volunteers.
- In 2001 our organization received the Volunteer Youth Award. This Award is given by the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports.
- In 2005 the National Government declared our institution to be in the public interest.
- Our organization is the only NGO in the Central Valley present in the Jabirú Protection and Rescue Commission.
Internal organization
ASVO is composed of a general assembly of associates and a board of directors. In addition it has personnel working on the day to day operation of the organization, including an administrative coordinator, a finance advisor, a volunteer coordinator and a project coordinator.
Our Programs
ASVO offers different ways in which you can be part of our conservation efforts!!
Occasional volunteer program:
National ⎯ This category is assigned to Costa Rican citizens and permanent residents.
Costa Ricans are welcome to join us; it is possible for you to see the beauty of the country you live in. And maybe you will become one of our active members. If you have some time off at school or at your office, use it to contribute to the conservation of our national treasure. Check out our project list and join us.
International ⎯ This category is assigned to foreigners:
Maybe you are coming to Costa Rica to see the biological diversity we have as well as the beautiful scenery. Do it, you won’t regret it. But you can donate some of your holiday time to preserve the beauty you came to see. ASVO gives you this possibility. Check our project list and become one of our international volunteers.
Permanent Volunteer program:
The permanent program is for people that are willing to commit to our conservation philosophy. We have four permanent units with different conservation strategies:
Control and Protection Unit (Spanish acronym: UCP)
Research and Projection Unit (Spanish acronym: UIP)
Environmental Education Unit (Spanish acronym: UEA)
Volunteer Forest Fire Brigade (Spanish acronym: BRIF)
Contact our office:
Paseo Colon, Toyota, 250mts. North. San José - Costa Rica
Phone: (506) 2258-4430 / 2223-4260
Fax: (506) 2223-4518
Email: info©asvocr.org
P.O. Box: 11384-1000
San José
Costa Rica
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